Starling on Sport: England must pick youth at Euro 2016

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Starling on Sport: England must pick youth at Euro 2016 There’s a long-running argument in football that the Premier League’s monstrous wages and high number of foreign players are having a detrimental effect on the England national side. While there are certainly a number of issues holding back English players, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Three Lions. Sunday’s match between Everton and Tottenham proved that. In fact I would go as far to say that the 1-1 draw was one of the best games of football I have seen for a very long time. And as an England fan it was a joy to watch. Here’s four reasons why: Dele Alli (19-years-old), Ross Barkley (22), John Stones (21) and Harry Kane (22). Manchester United’s legendary manager Sir Matt Busby once coined the phrase “if you’re good enough, you’re old enough”. Busby’s statement will never grow old (excuse the pun) and these four English starlets are proving that week in, week out in the Premier League. England boss Roy Hodgson should go all-out for youth at the Euros. No time for sentiment (sorry, Wayne). If England are to beat teams like Spain, Germany or France then pace is the key attribute. England should be building the team around Alli and Barkley. Plus with Stones in defence and Kane up top, who knows what they can achieve? I would pick a 4-3-3 formation with Kane leading the forward line alongside Raheem Sterling and Theo Walcott on the flanks. Eric Dier (another who played in the great game at Goodison Park) could play in the midfield anchor role between Alli and Barkley and offer some strength in front of a solid defence of Stones, Chris Smalling, Kieran Gibbs, Nathanial Clyne and captain Joe Hart in goal. This youthful side could give any side a decent game. Just give them a chance, Roy. My England line up for Euro 2016  Formation: 4-3-3 Joe Hart (age 28) Nathaniel Clyne (24) Kieran Gibbs (26) John Stones (21) Chris Smalling (26) Eric Dier (21) Dele Alli (19) Ross Barkley (22) Harry Kane (22) Theo Walcott (26) Raheem Sterling (21) Vardy fitness could see the Foxes fall Unless you are a fan of one of the ‘top’ clubs then most neutrals would love to see Leicester City continue their push for the Premier League title. The Foxes have been superb under the management of Claudio Ranieri, but only a week into the new year they have been dealt a blow with news that star striker Jamie Vardy requires a minor groin operation. The Premier League’s joint-leading scorer is only expected to miss one match, but he has not scored in his last three and this has coincided with three-game winless run for the Foxes. Leicester still sit second in the Premier League table, but if they are to continue pushing for the top spots then maybe they need to reinforce their striking options in the January transfer window. They can’t rely solely on Vardy’s talents, especially if the England striker is not at full fitness. That’s how to do Twenty20  Australians love their cricket, probably even more than they love Holdens, Tim-Tams and a barbie (Q, not the doll). Just look at the crowds in their domestic Twenty20 league, the Big Bash. When the Renegades took on the Stars in the Melbourne T20 derby at the MCG the match attracted a record crowd of 80,883. Unbelievable. I am a Test match fan, but you can’t deny that T20 is the future of cricket when it comes to growing the game and attracting a new audience. Yes it’s true, we all love the darts On Sunday night my Twitter feed was full of only one thing: Gary Anderson winning the PDC World Darts Championship. This got me thinking, it’s only five months until the darts returns to Dubai! I can’t wait #LoveTheDarts. Smith on top form in ‘Concussion’ movie I watched ‘Concussion’ starring Will Smith, who plays a pathologist that uncovers the truth about brain damage in American football. It was a great film and will no doubt generate lots of mixed emotions about one of the NFL’s major issues. How’s the new year resolutions going? Let’s just say that my new year starts today. Fitness is the aim in 2016 and I will be dusting the trainers off for a brisk jog around the streets of Jebel Ali. Perhaps I need a goal to work towards? Any ideas? Email me on mike@7days.ae   Read the original story at: Starling on Sport: England must pick youth at Euro 2016